BWU Radio Podcast

The General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (B.W.U.), Toni Moore has called on the Church in Barbados to give support to the trade union movement, not only with its prayers, but through partnering with the movement to inspire the change which the two institutions wish to see, especially in areas of interrelated activity.

Speaking at the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, today, at a service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the B.W.U., Ms Moore told the congregation, which included Cabinet Members and representatives of the Employers grouping, that, like the Anglican Church, the B.W.U. “ is going through a period of renewal because we, too, need to be a beacon in this society, restoring hope to the hopeless, restoring dignity and winning for workers and their families, though not striving to win at all costs.”

Ms. Moore said the B.W.U., at 75, is not spending its time recalling all that it has done well over its existence, or lamenting the things that had not been done so well. Rather, she said, the B.W.U. is looking ahead and, so in the past months it has been giving moments of intense introspection. She emphasised: “We have seen where we where we have been dropping the ball and we have recommitted to our purpose. The theme for our observances was launched at May Day 2016 – “Clear Focus: Renewed Drive” and we intend to keep sharpening those things that are working and doing new things where what exist are clearly not working”

While reflecting on the work of the founding fathers of the B.W.U., Ms. Moore assured the congregation that Rt. Excellent Sir Grantley Adams, the B.W.U.’s first President and Rt. Excellent Sir Hugh Springer, the B.W.U.s first general secretary, would have been proud, were they alive today, to see the B.W.U.’s vision in tact. She added that Sir Grantley and Sir Hugh would have been proud “to see that, in many instances, the B.W.U. is living the goal of improving the quality of life of workers and their families”.

“They would be proud to see that, over the years the B.W.U.’s move to foster change through social dialogue, participatory representation and worker involvement has matured to a social partnership where those very objectives can be realised. They would be proud that their organisation leads by example in having products of the working class assume different positions of leadership to carry on the fight; they would probably be relieved that women arte less in the background and more in the forefront of the struggle”.

Ms. Moore said that Sir Grantley and Sir Hugh would be sad to see that while Barbados has improved and come a long way in many respects since 1937, the year of the disturbances and 1941, the birth year of the BWU, there remained definite attempts to re-enslave, even if only mentally. She made the point that the B.W.U. still had to fight and even strike to achieve recognition, adding that some employers in Barbados are still undermining social justice by denying workers decent terms and conditions and their families a decent life.

In conclusion, Ms. Moore lamented that Sir Grantley and Sir Hugh would be sad that a number of the persons who have benefitted from the struggle over the years have forgotten from whence they came and therefore show no reluctance in dishonouring their sacrifice.